Apparatus and method for providing media content

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving video content at a mobile device via a network from a video server wherein a single version of the video content is provided by the video server to a group of mobile devices that includes the mobile device, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of an area of attention in an image of the video content based on a desired display resolution to generate an adjusted area of attention, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of a peripheral portion that surrounds the area of attention in at least one of a horizontal or vertical direction based on the adjusted area of attention to generate an adjusted peripheral portion of an adjusted image, and replacing the image with the adjusted image during presentation of the video content at a display of the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/301,709, filed Jun. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/471,865 filed May 15, 2012. All sections of theaforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates generally to communications and morespecifically to providing media content.

BACKGROUND

Media content, such as video, can be presented in many different formatsby recipient display devices. The particular format can depend on thecharacteristics of the recipient display device, as well as the contentthat has been transmitted. Generating each of the different formats thatcan possibly be used by all of the potential recipient display deviceswould be a difficult task requiring the use of a large amount of serviceprovider resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of another communicationsystem that provides media services;

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict media content that is received and adjusted by theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the system described in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of identifying area(s) of attention in image(s) andadjusting the images based on the area(s) of attention. The adjustmentscan include repositioning of the area(s) of attention, altering the sizeof the area(s) of attention and/or adjusting the display resolutionwithin the area(s) of attention. Peripheral portion(s) of the image(s)can then be modified based on these adjustments to the area(s) ofattention to comply with device characteristics, including aspect ratioand display resolution. Other embodiments are contemplated by thesubject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a mobile deviceincluding a display, a memory storing computer instructions, and aprocessor coupled with the memory and the display. The processor,responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operationsincluding receiving video content over a network from a video server,parsing the video content, and identifying a first area of attention ina first image of the video content based on the parsing. The operationsinclude determining a first shape for the first area of attention,identifying a second area of attention in a second image of the videocontent based on the parsing, and determining a second shape for thesecond area of attention. The operations include adjusting the firstshape based on a desired display resolution for the video content togenerate an adjusted first shape for the first area of attention in anadjusted first image, and adjusting the second shape based on thedesired display resolution to generate an adjusted second shape for thesecond area of attention in an adjusted second image. The operationsinclude identifying a first peripheral portion of the first image thatsurrounds the first shape, and identifying a second peripheral portionof the second image that surrounds the second shape. The operationsinclude stretching the first peripheral portion in at least one of ahorizontal or vertical direction based on the adjusting of the firstshape, the desired display resolution and a desired aspect ratio for thevideo content to generate an adjusted first peripheral portion for theadjusted first image. The operations include stretching the secondperipheral portion in at least one of the horizontal or verticaldirection based on the adjusting of the second shape, the desireddisplay resolution and the desired aspect ratio for the video content togenerate an adjusted second peripheral portion for the adjusted secondimage. The operations include presenting the adjusted first and secondimages in place of the first and second images during presentation ofthe video content at the display.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions,which, responsive to being executed by a processor of a media device,cause the processor to perform operations including receiving videocontent over a network from a video server. The operations includeidentifying an area of attention in an image of the video content andadjusting a size of the area of attention based on a desired displayresolution to generate an adjusted area of attention. The operationsinclude adjusting a size of a peripheral portion that surrounds the areaof attention in at least one of a horizontal or vertical direction basedon the adjusted area of attention, the desired display resolution and adesired aspect ratio to generate an adjusted peripheral portion of anadjusted image that utilizes a first display resolution within theadjusted area of attention and a second display resolution in theadjusted peripheral portion. The operations include replacing the imagewith the adjusted image during presentation of the video content at adisplay of the media device.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method includingreceiving video content at a mobile device via a network from a videoserver where a single version of the video content is provided by thevideo server to a group of mobile devices that includes the mobiledevice. The method also includes utilizing the mobile device foradjusting dimensions of an area of attention in an image of the videocontent based on a desired display resolution to generate an adjustedarea of attention of an adjusted image. The method further includesutilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of a peripheralportion that surrounds the area of attention based on the adjusted areaof attention to generate an adjusted peripheral portion in the adjustedimage and replacing the image with the adjusted image duringpresentation of the video content at a display of the mobile device.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent a mobile communication network and/or an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) media system. The IPTV media system can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 110 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 111 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 114 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 112according to a common multicast communication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 129 can be used also in themedia system of FIG. 1. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 100. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 carrying mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to thebuilding 102. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver131 can be transferred to the media processors 106 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped with a broadbandport to the ISP network 132 to enable interactive services such as VoDand EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 133 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system100. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 133 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It is contemplated that the subject disclosure can apply to otherpresent or next generation over-the-air and/or landline media contentservices system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116.

Communication system 100 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 130 to function as a video server. The video server130 can use computing and communication technology to perform function175, which can include among things, generating or otherwise obtainingmultiple versions of content, including video and/or audio content,where the different version have different levels of error correction(e.g., forward error correction including Reed-Solomon coding, Golaycoding, BCH coding, multi-dimensional parity coding, Hamming coding,other types of block coding, convolution coding, concatenated coding,low-density parity check coding, turbo coding, and so forth) and/ordifferent resolutions. In one embodiment, the video server 130 cangenerate the multiple versions from a first version of the media contentreceived at the video server 130. In another embodiment, the videoserver 130 can receive the multiple version of the media content fromone or more other sources. The video server 130 can switch between theversions of the media content that are being provided based on a need orrequest for more error correction data in the signal to facilitatemaintaining signal lock for the recipient media device(s). For example,the video server 130 can begin a broadcast, multicast or unicast of afirst version of media content that has a high resolution with little ifany error correction data. Upon detection of a fault or other undesiredcondition associated with the transmission of the media content and/orassociated with the presentation of the media content, the video server130 can switch to providing a second version of the media content thathas a lower resolution and more error correction data. This process ofdetection and switching can be repeated until there are no more versionsof media content available to provide more error correction and therebymaintain the link for the media device(s). At this point, the videoserver 130 can provide a message indicating that there are no othercontent versions available. In one embodiment, the message can beprovided to the media device so that a white screen or othererror-indicative interface can be displayed at the media device whilethe audio content is still provided to the media device. The particulartype of fault or undesired condition that is detected can vary and canbe based on one or more of jitter, signal-to-noise ratio thresholds,network traffic or overload, detected failure(s) at network device(s)and so forth. The fault or undesired condition can be detected by themedia device receiving the media content, by the video server 130 and/orby another network element, such as a network element being used for thetransmission of the media content or a network element being used tomonitor network conditions. As described above, the fault or undesiredcondition can be based on conditions in the network that impede orotherwise prevent a desired quality of service in the transmission ofthe media content and/or in the presentation of the media content.

The media processors 106 and wireless communication devices 116 can beadapted with software function 165 to utilize the services of videoserver 130. Software function 165 can enable the devices 106 and 116 toprocess the video content in order to improve the viewing experience ofthe user of the device. As an example, the video content can be receivedand parsed. One or more areas of attention or interest for one or moreimages or groups of images can be identified for the video content. Theareas of attention can be based on a number of factors, such as one ormore of a subject matter of the video content, pattern recognitionapplied to the video content, user preferences, metadata and so forth.As an example, a concert can have an area of attention that surroundsthe singer while a movie can have an area of attention that surroundsthe main actor(s). A geometric shape forming the area of attention(s)can be determined by the devices 106 and 116 and the dimensions of theshape can be adjusted (e.g., proportionally enlarging of reducing) basedon a number of factors including a desired display resolution. Areas ofthe images outside of the area(s) of attention can be modified (e.g.,horizontal and/or vertical stretching) to satisfy the final aspect ratioand/or display resolution. The modified images can be presented in placeof unmodified images by the devices 106 and 116 during presentation ofthe media content. The above described process can be applied to anynumber of the images of the video content, including all of the imagesor only some of the images. The area of attention can be multiple areasof attention in a single image(s) and/or can be different areas ofattention for different groups of images, such as for scene changes in amovie.

It is further contemplated that multiple forms of media services can beoffered to media devices over landline technologies such as thosedescribed above. Additionally, media services can be offered to mediadevices by way of a wireless access base station 117 operating accordingto common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile orGSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division MultipleAccess or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, Worldinteroperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR,Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on. Other present and next generationwide area wireless network technologies are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments, FIG. 1 can employ an IP Multimedia Subsystem(IMS) network architecture to facilitate the combined services ofcircuit-switched and packet-switched systems. For example, a HomeSubscriber Server, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server, and othercommon network elements of an IMS network can establish communicationsbetween IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs), Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CDs, and combinations thereof by way of a MediaGateway Control Function (MGCF) coupled to a PSTN network. The MGCF neednot be used when a communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CDcommunications, where as a communication session involving at least onePSTN CD may utilize the MGCF. Various network elements such as a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF), an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF),and a Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) can be utilized for various functions,including registration via a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE)message while one or more application servers (ASs) can provide avariety of services to IMS subscribers. In this example, the network cansupport video conferencing. It is further appreciated that the CDs inthis example can operate as wireline or wireless devices and/or can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station, a femtocell, a WiFirouter, a DECT base unit, and/or another suitable wireless access unitto establish communications with the IMS network. The cellular accessbase station in this example can operate according to common wirelessaccess protocols such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), UniversalMobile Telecommunications (UMTS), World interoperability for Microwave(WiMAX), Software Defined Radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and soon. Other present and next generation wireless network technologies arecontemplated by the subject disclosure. Accordingly, multiple wirelineand wireless communication technologies are contemplated for the CDs ofthis example. It is further contemplated that cellular phones supportingLTE can support packet-switched voice and packet-switched datacommunications and thus may operate as IMS-compliant mobile devices. Inthis embodiment, the cellular base station may communicate directly withthe IMS network.

It is further understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate ina device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS and ENUM server, the BGCF, and theMGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 202 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices130 of the communication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The webportal 202 can be used for managing services of communication system100. A web page of the web portal 202 can be accessed by a UniformResource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser such as Microsoft'sInternet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™, Apple's Safari™, or Google'sChrome™ using an Internet-capable communication device such as thosedescribed in FIG. 1. The web portal 202 can be configured, for example,to access a media processor 106 and services managed thereby such as aDigital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 106. The web portal 202 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 300.Communication device 300 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIG. 1. Thecommunication device 300 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 302 (herein transceiver 302), a user interface (UI) 304, apower supply 314, a location receiver 316, a motion sensor 318, anorientation sensor 320, and a controller 306 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 302 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, DigitalEnhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,software defined radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well asother next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.The transceiver 302 can also be adapted to support circuit-switchedwireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wirelineaccess technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinationsthereof.

The UI 304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 308 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device300. The keypad 308 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 300 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 308 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 304 can further include a display310 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 300. In anembodiment where the display 310 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 308 can be presented by way of the display 310 withnavigation features.

The display 310 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input (e.g., touch of a user's finger). Asa touch screen display, the communication device 300 can be adapted topresent a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elementsthat can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touchscreen display 310 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or otherforms of sensing technology to detect much surface area of a user'sfinger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. Thissensing information can be used control the manipulation of the GUIelements.

The UI 304 can also include an audio system 312 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 312 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 312 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 304 can further include an image sensor 313 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 314 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 300 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. Alternatively, the charging systemcan utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over aphysical interface such as a USB port. The location receiver 316 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of thecommunication device 300 based on signals generated by a constellationof GPS satellites, thereby facilitating common location services such asnavigation. The motion sensor 318 can utilize motion sensing technologysuch as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensingto detect motion of the communication device 300 in three-dimensionalspace. The orientation sensor 320 can utilize orientation sensingtechnology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of thecommunication device 300 (North, South, West, East, combinedorientations thereof in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientationmetrics).

The communication device 300 can use the transceiver 302 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by common sensing techniques such as utilizing a receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA)or time of flight (TOF). The controller 306 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

Other components not shown in FIG. 3 are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure. For instance, the communication device 300 can include areset button (not shown). The reset button can be used to reset thecontroller 306 of the communication device 300. In yet anotherembodiment, the communication device 300 can also include a factorydefault setting button positioned below a small hole in a housingassembly of the communication device 300 to force the communicationdevice 300 to re-establish factory settings. In this embodiment, a usercan use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reachinto the hole and depress the default setting button.

The communication device 300 as described herein can operate with moreor less components described in FIG. 3. These variant embodiments arecontemplated by the subject disclosure.

The communication device 300 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs and PSTNCDs. It will be appreciated that the communication device 300 can alsorepresent other common devices that can operate in communication system100 of FIG. 1 such as a gaming console and a media player.

It is contemplated by the subject disclosure that the communicationdevice 300 shown in FIG. 3 or portions thereof can serve as arepresentation of one or more of the devices of communication system100. It is further contemplated that the controller 306 can be adaptedin various embodiments to perform the functions of adjusting images ofvideo content according to area(s) of attention, display resolutionand/or aspect ratios.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 400 fordelivering media content. Communication system 400 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with communication system 100 as another representativeembodiment of said communication system. System 400 can include a videoserver 410 that provides media content including video content to agroup of communication devices including mobile devices 450 via network425 which can be a wireline and/or wireless network. The media contentcan be provided using a number of different delivery techniques,including broadcast, multicast and/or unicast. Other communicationdevices can also receive the media content, including set top boxesand/or personal computers.

In one embodiment, the group of mobile devices 450 can receive mediacontent in a single format (e.g., default display resolution, defaultaspect ratio, and other default characteristics) which reduces the useof processing resources of the service provider as compared to a systemthat is unicasting different formats of the media content to each of thedifferent devices based on the display characteristics of the devices.Each of the mobile devices can then analyze and adjust the video contentbased on device characteristics, user preferences, and so forth.

In one embodiment, one of the mobile devices (which will be referred toas mobile device 450) can receive the media content and then parse themedia content, which can include parsing video content including images.The mobile device 450 can identify an area of attention in one or moreimages or one or more groups of images. The area of attention can be thearea of the image(s) that a viewer is most interested in viewing.Sometimes the area of attention is a center region of the image(s). Thisoccurs because cameras capturing the content are often aimed so that theobjects are centered in the images. However, the area of attentiondepends on the images and in particular the objects in the images beingshown. For example, a movie may have a scene in which there are severalpersons present in opposite ends of a room. If the camera captures theentire room but only the persons on one side of the room are speakingthen the area of attention may by the one side of the room althoughthose persons are not in the center of the image. As another example, ina sporting event, the camera may capture all members of the team so themembers are spread out over the entire image(s), but the area ofattention may only be a few of those members that are interacting withthe ball. The area of attention can also be multiple areas in an image.Returning to the example of the sporting event, a first area ofattention in the image(s) may be those members of the team that aredirectly in proximity to the ball and a second area of attention may bethose members of the team that are intended to receive the ball. In thisexample, the first and second areas of attention may be on oppositesides of the image and the middle or center portion of the image(s) maybe outside of the two areas of attention. While this example describestwo areas of attention, the exemplary embodiments can include any numberof areas of attention in an image(s) including a single area ofattention or more than two areas of attention.

The area(s) of attention can be utilized for multiple images such as ina movie where the scene and its background remains relatively static orin a sporting event where a play involves limited movement. The area(s)of attention can also be associated with or otherwise follow aparticular object(s) even though there is a scene change or movement ofthe members of the team in the above-described example. As an example, amovie may depict two actors who are talking to each other as they walkthrough a store. The area of attention can surround the two actorsregardless of the changes to the background scenes. In another example,the area of attention can surround a member of the sports team that iscarrying the ball and can continue to surround the ball carrier eventhough the ball carrier is running up the field and other members of theteam appear and disappear in the images.

The areas of attention can also change based on changes to the images.As an example, in a sporting event, a first group of images 465 caninclude a first area of attention 470 that surrounds a player that iscatching a football. The area of attention can continue to surround theplayer for the entire play. In a subsequent play captured in a secondgroup of images, a second area of attention 480 can surround a differentplayer that has been handed the football and is running up the field. Inthis example, the first and second groups of images 465, 475 eachinclude single areas of attention, although in one or more embodimentsmultiple areas of attention can be utilized for one or more images orgroups of images. The exemplary embodiments can also include any numberof groups of images that include one or more areas of attention, as wellas images that do not have any area of attention.

Once the area(s) of attention is identified, the mobile device 450 canmodify the image(s). For example, a geometric shape can be determinedfor the area of attention. As an example, if the area of attentionsurrounds a football player, then the shape for the area of attentioncan be a rectangle. The determination or otherwise defining of the shapeof the area of attention can be based on a number of factors, includinga shape and/or dimensions of the display device and/or the images, userpreferences, device display characteristics, subject matter of the videocontent, a shape and/or dimensions of object(s) in the image and soforth.

The mobile device 450 can then adjust the area of attention based on adesired or final display resolution. In one embodiment, the mobiledevice 450 can proportionally enlarge or reduce the geometric shape ofthe area of attention. In another embodiment, the mobile device 450 canmove the area of attention to a different region in the display, such ascentering the area of attention.

Once the area of attention has been adjusted, the mobile device 450 canidentify and adjust a peripheral portion of the image that surrounds oris otherwise outside of the area of attention defined by the geometricshape. For example, the mobile device 450 can apply a horizontal and/ora vertical stretching of the peripheral portion to meet a desired orfinal aspect ratio and/or the desired or final display resolution. Theadjustments to the area of attention and the peripheral portion resultsin an adjusted image which can be presented by the mobile device 450 inplace of the original image that was received from the video server. Asdescribed above, any number of images of the video content can bereplaced by adjusted images that can be based on any number of areas ofattention.

In one embodiment, the video server 410 can generate or access multipleversions of the media content that include different amounts of errorcorrection and a corresponding different level of resolution. The videoserver 410 can switch between the versions of content being transmittedbased on a fault or undesired condition that is detected with respect tothe transmission or presentation of the content at one or more of themobile devices 450. The detection can be performed by various devicesincluding mobile device(s) 450, video server 420 and/or network element425. In one embodiment, network element 425 can be a device thatperforms network monitoring for the fault or undesired condition. Inanother embodiment, the network element 425 can be an intermediarydevice that is utilized in the transmission of the media content fromvideo server 410. In one embodiment, a mobile device 450 experiencing afault or undesired condition can receive a different version of thecontent (e.g., having lower resolution with more error correction data)via a different delivery source or channel. As an example, a mobiledevice 450 can begin receiving the video content by way of a firstmulticast and then be switched to a second multicast that includes thedifferent version of the content. In another example, the mobile device450 can receive the different version of the content via a unicast.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an example of the image processing isillustrated. An image 500 can be received by the mobile device 450. Inone embodiment, if the image 500 were to be presented at mobile device450 it would appear as shown in FIG. 5 having the display resolution 575which can be based on a number of factors including the displaycharacteristics of the mobile device 450.

An area of attention 525 can be identified by the mobile device 450 forthe image 500. In this example, the area of attention 525 is defined bya rectangle and is based on the object 535 (e.g., a football playercarrying the ball). The mobile device can identify a peripheral portion550 of the image, which is the area of the image 500 that is outside ofthe area of attention 525. In this example, object 555 (e.g., a footballplayer not carrying the ball) is in the peripheral portion 555.

The mobile device 450 can adjust image 500 resulting in adjusted image600. Image 600 can include an adjusted area of attention 625 which wasgenerated by the mobile device 450 in this example by enlarging the areaof attention 525 and by centering the area of attention. An adjustedperipheral portion 650 can be generated by the mobile device 450 in thisexample by stretching the peripheral portion 550 in a vertical andhorizontal direction. As seen in adjusted image 600, some of theperipheral portion 550 is no longer displayed by the mobile device 450.

In one embodiment, the adjusted image 600 can include more than onedisplay resolution. For example, the adjusted area of attention 625 caninclude a first display resolution 685 while the adjusted peripheralportion 650 can include a second display resolution 675. In oneembodiment, the first display resolution 685 can be higher than thesecond display resolution 675. One or both of the first and seconddisplay resolutions 685, 675 can be the same or different from displayresolution 575 of the original image 500. As an example for the adjustedimage 600, the first display resolution 685 in the adjusted area ofattention 625 can have the same value as the display resolution 575 inthe original image 575 while the second display resolution 675 in theadjusted peripheral portion 650 can have a lower value. In anotherexample for the adjusted image 600, the first display resolution 685 inthe adjusted area of attention 625 can have a higher value than thedisplay resolution 575 in the original image 575 while the seconddisplay resolution 675 in the adjusted peripheral portion 650 can have alower value than the display resolution 575 in the original image 575.

In one embodiment, a boundary zone 635 can be established between theadjusted area of attention 625 and the adjusted peripheral portion 650.The boundary zone can be an area of transition with characteristics thatare smoothed or otherwise modified to improve the transition between theadjusted area 635 and portion 650. For example, where different firstand second display resolutions 685, 675 are being utilized in adjustedimage 600 then boundary zone 635 can include an intermediate value for adisplay resolution to avoid an abrupt change in display resolution. Inone embodiment, the mobile device 450 can apply a linear change to thedisplay resolution over the boundary zone 635 such that the displayresolution changes over the boundary zone from the first displayresolution 685 to the second display resolution 675 in a linear,incremental fashion.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative method 700 that operates utilizingportions of the devices and/or images of FIGS. 1-6. Method 700 can beginwith step 702 in which a media device, such as mobile device 450,receives media content including video content over a network from asource, such as video server 410. The source can provide the mediacontent in a number of different ways, such as wirelessly via abroadcast or multicast, although other techniques and devices fordelivery are also contemplated. In step 704, the media device can parsethe video content to facilitate analysis and processing of one or moreof the images or groups of images therein. In step 706, an area ofattention in an image(s) of the video content can be identified orotherwise detected by the media device based on the parsing. The area ofattention can be identified based on a number of different factors andtechniques. For example, metadata associated with the content can beaccessed that identifies the area(s) of attention and/or that identifiesinformation from which the area(s) of attention can be determined, suchas a subject matter of the content. In another example, image patternrecognition can be applied to the image(s) to identify object(s)therein. The recognized objects can be used to identify the area(s) ofattention, such as recognizing a particular actor in a movie andutilizing the actor (i.e., the detected object) as the area ofattention. In one embodiment, the detected objects via the image patternrecognition analysis can be utilized in conjunction with the knownsubject matter of the content (e.g., subject matter identified viametadata) to identify the area(s) of attention. Other factors fordetermining the area(s) of attention can include user preferences suchas a viewer who likes to watch a ball carrier in a football game.

In step 708, the media device can determine a shape for the area ofattention. The determination of the shape can be based on a number offactors, including one or more of a shape of the display device, a shapeof the object(s) in the area of attention, a desired aspect ratio forthe content, display characteristics of the media device, userpreferences, metadata that indicates preferred shapes such as based onthe type of content, and so forth

In step 710, the media device can adjust the area of attention. Theadjustment to the area of attention can be based on a number of factors,including based on a desired display resolution for the video content orapproximating a final display resolution for the content. Other factorsfor the adjustment of the area of attention can include one or more ofuser preferences, desired aspect ratio, type of content, and so forth.The adjustment of the area of attention can include enlarging orreducing the area of attention, including proportionally enlarging orreducing the defined shape, although non-proportional enlargement orreduction can also be utilized. Another adjustment can include adjustingthe display resolution within the area of attention. For example, thearea of attention can include the highest allowable or enabled displayresolution for the media device. Yet another adjustment can includemoving the position of the area of attention, such as centering the areaof attention in the display.

In step 712, the media device can identify and adjust a peripheralportion of the image that surrounds the adjusted area of attention. Forexample, the media device can stretch the peripheral portion in ahorizontal and/or vertical direction based on the adjusting of the areaof attention, a desired display resolution and/or a desired aspect ratiofor the video content. In one embodiment, the desired display resolutionand/or desired aspect ratio can be determined based on user preferences,device display characteristics, and/or media content characteristics.

In step 714, the media device can confirm that the adjusted image,including any adjustments to the area of attention and the peripheralportion comply with device characteristics including device resolutionas well as aspect ratio limitations and/or recommendations.

In step 716, the adjusted image can replace the original image duringpresentation of the content at the media device. The process ofidentifying areas of attention and adjusting the images based on theareas of attention as described in steps 702-714 can be repeated for oneor more other images or groups of images.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, in one embodiment,the adjusted image(s) can maintain the same display resolutionthroughout but can be modified based on adjusting the dimensions of thearea of attention, adjusting the position of the area attention (e.g.,centering), stretching in a horizontal and/or vertical direction theperipheral portion, and/or cropping or otherwise not showing outerportions of the peripheral portion. In another embodiment differentimages can utilize different display resolution.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 450 can increase display resolutionfor portions of images received from the video server 410 utilizing anumber of different techniques including pixel interpolation and/oraccessing data associated with higher display resolutions for the mediacontent.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 450 can provide the adjusted videocontent to one or more other communication devices for presentation. Theother communication device can present that content in its currentlyadjusted format that is based on the area(s) of attention and/or canfurther modify the content, such as modifying based on displaycharacteristics of the other communication device or modifying based onarea(s) of attention and image adjustment performed by the othercommunication device.

In one embodiment, the area of attention can be based on an analysis ofviewers of the video content and/or of similar video content. Forinstance, viewer facial imaging during presentation of content inconjunction with tracking software can be utilized to determine ifviewers typically focus on a first region of the image as opposed tofocusing on a second region of the image. In one embodiment, theanalysis can be performed prior to transmission of the media content tomobile device 450 (e.g., by an analysis server in communication withvideo server 410) and the results of the analysis can be provided to themobile device, such as via metadata accompanying the video content thatidentifies areas of attention in one or more of the images. In anotherembodiment, the analysis can be performed by the mobile device 450 oranother communication device of the viewer. For instance, the mobiledevice 450 can perform the analysis on a football game to determine thatthe particular viewer typically focuses on the quarterback. Thisinformation can be stored and utilized during subsequent presentationsof football games for identifying the area of attention to include thequarterback. In one embodiment, the analysis can be performed by themobile device 450 during the presentation of a first portion of thevideo content and utilized by the mobile device 450 for image adjustmentin a second portion of the video content. It should be understood thatthe analysis and/or image adjustment can be performed by any number ofdevices, including the mobile device 116, 450, set top box 106, personalcomputer 108, server 130 and so forth. It should be further understoodthat the analysis and/or image adjustment can be performed based onvarious types of media content, including still images and video, andcan also be movies, sports events, television shows, video games, and soforth.

In one embodiment, the media device can present the adjusted image(s) ona separate device, such as a set top box that analyzes and adjusts theimage(s) and then provides the adjusted image(s) for presentation on atelevision. In this example, the set top box can obtain display deviceinformation (e.g., identification information) or characteristics (e.g.,parameters) associated with the display device, such as the screen size,aspect ratio capability, video filtering, contrast ratio capability,high-definition compatibility and so forth. In one embodiment, the mediadevice can be a multi-mode mobile device that presents the adjustedimages on a separate display device, such as through short-rangewireless communication (e.g., WiFi) between the mobile device and a settop box or television.

In one embodiment, the adjusting of the image(s) can be based on one ormore of color depth, frame rate, and/or compression techniquesassociated with the content and/or the media device displaying thecontent.

In another embodiment, the image(s) can be altered by adjusting thecolor depth in proximity to the actors being shown in a movie butmaintaining the color depth for portions of the display that are remotefrom the actors, where the actors are determined to be included in thearea of attention.

In one embodiment, the media device can adjust the format of the mediacontent to a targeted format using techniques including transcoding(e.g., decoding and decompressing the original data to a rawintermediate format and then re-encoding into a target format),transrating the format and/or trans sizing the format (e.g., changingthe picture size of video). Other embodiments are contemplated by thesubject disclosure.

Other suitable modifications that can be applied to the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 130 and/or 410, media processor 106,mobile device 116 and/or 450 and other devices of FIGS. 1-7. In someembodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) toother machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate inthe capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client usernetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, ora solid state display. The computer system 800 may include an inputdevice 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplatedfor use by computer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,are contemplated by the subject disclosure. One or more of the exemplaryembodiments can be operated according to the features (e.g., devicesand/or method steps) described herein or can be operated withoututilizing the recited feature.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a display; a memory thatstores instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory and thedisplay, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processorperforms operations comprising: performing image pattern recognition ona received video content to identify images in the video content;identifying a first area of attention in an image of the video contentbased on the image pattern recognition; determining a first shape forthe first area of attention; identifying a second area of attention inthe image based on the image pattern recognition; determining a secondshape for the second area of attention; adjusting the first shape to afirst resolution based on a desired display resolution for the videocontent to generate an adjusted first shape for the first area ofattention; adjusting the second shape to a second resolution based onthe desired display resolution to generate an adjusted second shape forthe second area of attention; identifying a first peripheral portionthat surrounds the first shape; identifying a second peripheral portionthat surrounds the second shape; identifying a boundary zone between thefirst shape and the second shape, wherein the boundary zone utilizes athird display resolution having a value between the first and secondresolutions; and presenting the adjusted first shape, the boundary zone,and the adjusted second shape in place of one of the first or secondareas during presentation of the video content at the display.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise receiving thevideo content over a network from a video server, wherein the adjustedfirst shape has at least two different display resolutions, wherein afirst display resolution is utilized within the adjusted first shape ofthe first area of attention and wherein a second display resolution isutilized within the first peripheral portion of the adjusted firstshape.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first display resolution isa highest display resolution enabled by the display.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise accessing metadataassociated with the video content.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein theoperations further comprise determining a subject matter of the videocontent based on the metadata, wherein the image pattern recognition isperformed to locate an area of attention based on the subject matter. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the adjusted second shape has at leasttwo different display resolutions, wherein a first display resolution isutilized within the adjusted second shape and wherein a second displayresolution is utilized within the second peripheral portion.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the image pattern recognition identifiesobjects in the first and second shapes, wherein the first and secondareas of attention are identified based on the objects.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise providing a linearchange of a display resolution along a transition area between theadjusted first shape and the first peripheral portion.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise accessing userpreferences, wherein one of a desired display resolution or a desiredaspect ratio is determined based on the user preferences.
 10. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the adjusting of the first shape proportionallyenlarges the first area of attention.
 11. The device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise stretching the first peripheral portionin one of a horizontal or vertical direction based on the adjusting ofthe first shape, a desired display resolution, and a desired aspectratio for the video content to generate an adjusted first peripheralportion for the first shape.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein theadjusted first peripheral portion removes a portion of the firstperipheral portion.
 13. A machine-readable storage medium, comprisinginstructions, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, aprocessor performs operations comprising: performing image patternrecognition on an image of video content to identify a first area and asecond area in the video content; adjusting a resolution of the firstarea to generate an adjusted area of attention having a first resolutionas a first adjusted area; adjusting a resolution of the second area togenerate an adjusted area of attention having a second resolution as asecond adjusted area; adjusting a size of a peripheral portion thatsurrounds the first adjusted area in one of a horizontal or verticaldirection based on the first adjusted area as an adjusted peripheralportion, a desired display resolution, or a desired aspect ratio togenerate an adjusted peripheral portion that utilizes a first displayresolution within the first adjusted area and a second displayresolution in the adjusted peripheral portion; identifying a boundaryzone between the first adjusted area and the second adjusted area,wherein the boundary zone utilizes a third display resolution having avalue between the first and second resolutions; and replacing the imagewith the first adjusted area, the second adjusted area, and the boundaryzone during presentation of the video content at a display device. 14.The machine-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprisingreceiving the video via one of a broadcast or a multicast.
 15. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the operationsfurther comprise accessing metadata associated with the video content,wherein the performing image pattern recognition is based on themetadata.
 16. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15, whereinthe operations further comprise receiving the video content over anetwork from a video server, and wherein the adjusting of the size ofthe peripheral portion comprises adjusting an aspect ratio for the firstadjusted area based on a subject matter of the video content based onthe metadata.
 17. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 13,wherein the operations further comprise: detecting a fault associatedwith the video content; transmitting a request to a video server foranother version of the video content that is different from a firstversion of the video content received by the display device; responsiveto the request, receiving the other version of the video content,wherein the other version of the video content includes more errorcorrection data than is included with the first version of the videocontent; performing image pattern recognition for another area ofattention in another image of the other version of the video content;adjusting a size of the other area of attention based on the desireddisplay resolution to generate another adjusted area of attention;adjusting a size of another peripheral portion that surrounds the otherarea of attention in one of the horizontal or vertical direction basedon the other adjusted area of attention, the desired display resolutionand the desired aspect ratio to generate another adjusted peripheralportion of another adjusted image that utilizes the first displayresolution within the adjusted area of attention and a third displayresolution in the adjusted peripheral portion; and replacing the otherimage with the other adjusted image during presentation of the otherversion of the video content at the display device.